One drink that had lockdown was tequila. House bartenders have turned to Mexico’s nationwide spirit greater than ever earlier than, with UK gross sales rising 94 per cent up to now two years, in response to the Wine & Spirit Commerce Affiliation. 

However what if the mere phrase makes you shudder at long-­suppressed pupil reminiscences of slamming pictures of the stuff with a wedge of lime and a salt chaser? Relaxation assured, tequila has had one thing of a classy makeover lately. 

Distilled from the Mexican agave plant, it’s now thought of delightfully drinkable in case you get the proper model — a lot in order that the cool crowd really sip theirs, both neat or just over ice in a pitcher. And a number of superstar stakeholders, from George Clooney and Justin ­Timberlake to mannequin Kendall Jenner, extol tequila’s virtues. 

The spirit’s low-calorie credentials have helped it enchantment to youthful, extra health-conscious drinkers. A shot of tequila comprises round simply 70 energy (far lower than wine and roughly the identical as vodka) and the distillation course of means it has zero carbs, excellent for anybody following a keto or low-carb eating regimen.

Not solely that, tequila comprises fewer congeners, a by-product of fermentation thought of to be one of many most important culprits behind hangovers (after alcohol, clearly), in contrast with brown spirits corresponding to rum or whisky. 

So fairly than holding your nostril and hoping for the perfect, which tequilas are those value making an attempt? 

Right here, Femail’s drinks skilled Helen McGinn picks the perfect… 

SLOW AND SMOOTH

Mijenta Tequila Blanco 70cl, £49.95, amazon.co.uk 

Produced by a workforce that features maestra tequilera Ana Maria Romero, probably the most awarded tequila makers in Mexico, it’s made utilizing a gradual cooking course of to get the perfect flavour

This has a distinctly artisan really feel to it, from the sustainable packaging (the label is comprised of agave waste) to the unfiltered liquid inside. Produced by a workforce that features maestra tequilera Ana Maria Romero, probably the most awarded tequila makers in Mexico, it’s made utilizing a gradual cooking course of to get the perfect flavour. It’s not low cost however it actually is scrumptious with plenty of spice and vanilla on the palate, and so easy. 8/10 

EARTHY AGED GOLD 

AquaRiva Reposado Tequila 70cl, £31.94, The Whisky Trade 

AquaRiva is refreshingly totally different in seems (not a cranium in sight) and is earthy and easy sufficient to be sipped by itself, or poured over ice

Cleo Rocos, actress and long-time comedy companion of Kenny Everett, got here up with this one after a foul tequilaslamming expertise in her youth. She fell again in love with the spirit when she tasted a correct 100 per cent blue agave one. AquaRiva is refreshingly totally different in seems (not a cranium in sight) and is earthy and easy sufficient to be sipped by itself, or poured over ice. 8/10 

CELEB SPARKLE 

Casamigos Blanco Tequila 70cl, £45, Waitrose 

George Clooney began Casamigos along with his buddy, and husband of supermodel Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber 

This tequila comes with a liberal sprinkling of superstar stardust courtesy of the model’s founder George Clooney. He began Casamigos along with his buddy, and husband of supermodel Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber, solely to promote the enterprise a number of years later for a cool $1billion. The tequila is genuinely fairly good. Comprised of 100 per cent blue agave, it’s crisp and clear with much less of an earthy edge than most. 7/10 

MUSICAL MAGIC

Espolon Reposado 70cl, £27, Majestic 

Named after the Spanish phrase for ‘spur’, this model was created by a legend within the tequila world, Cirilo Oropeza

Named after the Spanish phrase for ‘spur’, this model was created by a legend within the tequila world, Cirilo Oropeza. He was decided to make tequila so good, folks would take it as severely as some other spirit — and even performed classical music to his tanks of fermenting booze. This one is aged for a minimum of two months in American oak barrels, giving it somewhat­ ­color and a contact of spice on the nostril. The standard is unbelievable and the value very affordable. 9/10 

AGED FULL THROTTLE 

Herradura Añejo 70cl, £39, masterofmalt.com 

It is a full throttle tequila, amber in color and aged in American Oak barrels for 25 months, over a 12 months greater than is legally required. The truth is, ­Herradura is credited for launching the primary ‘añejo’ tequila again within the Sixties and they’re masters of the aged fashion to today. The flavours are full and wealthy with a touch of nuttiness and that trademark contact of earth and fireplace. 8/10 

SILVER SWEETIE 

1800 Silver Tequila 70cl, £30, Tesco 

Named after the 12 months the primary actual tequila was made, that is comprised of 100 per cent blue agave from the Jalisco highlands, close to Guadalajara

Named after the 12 months the primary actual tequila was made, that is comprised of 100 per cent blue agave from the Jalisco highlands, close to Guadalajara. It is available in a hanging pyramid-shaped bottle, a nod to the Mayan stone pyramids discovered throughout Mexico, and is labelled as ‘Silver’ fairly than Blanco, however is principally an unaged tequila. 

It’s one of many smoothest round, with no burn and a brilliant, virtually candy notice to it, with that typical tequila earthiness reminding you the place it’s from. Sip it neat by itself or over ice within the fanciest tumbler you could find. 8/10